Mad men? The perils of sailing solo around the world

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Photos:Sailing on the high seas around the world

Sailing on the high seas around the world – French skipper Thomas Coville is the latest yachtsman trying to tackle the round-the-world solo record in his trimaran Sodebo.

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Photos:Sailing on the high seas around the world

Sailing on the high seas around the world – In February 2009, Michel Desjoyeaux became the first -- and still only -- man to twice win the Vendee Globe, considered by many the pinnacle of ocean racing.

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Photos:Sailing on the high seas around the world

Sailing on the high seas around the world – The world's leading yachtsmen marvel at the often glorious skyline on their various solo voyages -- here the sun sets on British skipper Alex Thomson.

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Photos:Sailing on the high seas around the world

Sailing on the high seas around the world – Sailors are left to spend months at sea on their own with only satellite phones and the occasional helicopter flying overhead to keep them company.

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Photos:Sailing on the high seas around the world

Sailing on the high seas around the world – The end of each voyage is traditionally met by huge fanfare with tens of thousands of spectators. Here Francis Joyon celebrates his record of 57 days for circumnavigating the globe.

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Photos:Sailing on the high seas around the world

Sailing on the high seas around the world – Britain's Robin Knox-Johnston was the first man to perform a singlehanded nonstop circumnavigation of the globe, in 1968.

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Photos:Sailing on the high seas around the world

Sailing on the high seas around the world – In 2007, nearly four decades after his last circumnavigation and aged 68, Knox-Johnston once again sailed solo around the world in the VELUX 5 Oceans Race, being the oldest to ever enter the event.

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Photos:Sailing on the high seas around the world

Sailing on the high seas around the world – Not all voyages, however, have gone to plan. Desjoyeaux's latest trip in the Transat Jacques Vabre ended up with him dismasting just 140 miles (260 kilometers) from the finish.

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Photos:Sailing on the high seas around the world

Sailing on the high seas around the world – Steve White (second from right) with other Brits in the 2008-09 Vendee Globe and Knox-Johnston (second from left). White faced a battle just to fund his entry but finished a creditable eighth.

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Story highlights

Thomas Coville is the latest to attempt to break the record for solo circumnavigating the globe

Robin Knox-Johnston was the first man to do so nonstop, calling it "where I'm happiest"

"The Professor" Michel Desjoyeaux insists there is no danger as safety comes first

It was on a platform of the Paris Metro that Michel Desjoyeaux realized he finally had to snap out of it.

He was just back from nearly 100 days sailing around the globe with no sighting of another human being, his only contact to the outside world a satellite phone. His body was, in essence, still on red alert for any obstacle in his midst.

"Waiting for the train, a guy was in the way of the doors and I just yanked him out of the way," recalls the 48-year-old, who just days earlier had returned to France victorious from the grueling Vendee Globe race.

"I was still in that mindset of not letting anything get in my way. It was unhealthy. It was then I said to myself, 'Michel, the race is over now.' But it's hard as solo racing just takes over your body and mind."

It is 45 years since British yachtsman Robin Knox-Johnston became the first man to perform a singlehanded, nonstop circumnavigation of the globe, achieving the feat in 312 days.

He was the only person to finish of the eight-man field in the Golden Globe Race, during which one competitor Donald Crowhurst died -- having committed suicide after attempting to fake the details of his own round-the-world attempt.

So what makes someone decide to take on such a daunting challenge? To spend months away from family and friends, coping on a mere four hours of sleep a night -- most of that broken -- while tackling monster waves on the world's most challenging waters?

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For Knox-Johnston, also the oldest person to sail around the planet solo, aged 68 back in 2007, the lure of such a perilous challenge is obvious.

"It's what I do -- I do the sea," he says unapologetically. "To people it may seem dangerous, foolish even but, for me, it's not a strange environment. It's not alien to me, it's where I'm happiest.

"As for circumnavigating the globe that first time, I didn't want to get to 90 years old and think what I could have done. It was dangerous, particularly as no-one had done it before, so you couldn't read up on it, and frequently you feel in danger. Having 27 meters crashing down on your boat will make you feel that way."

Back in 1968, there was none of the communications enjoyed by today's sailors, requiring instinct more than anything else.

So how did Knox-Johnston's voyage compare nearly four decades on? "You realize that round-the-world sailing is a young man's game," he says.

Desjoyeaux is one of the best modern-day exponents of solo sailing -- the only two-time winner of the prestigious Vendee Globe, in 2001 and 2009 -- and he was born into the sailing fraternity.

His father, who served in the Resistance during World War Two, founded Glenans Sailing School -- which teaches 15,000 trainees each year.

Nicknamed "The Professor," Desjoyeaux is more than just a sailor, he is also an innovator. He writes software for the auto-pilot systems used by many sailors, and has also been integral in developing boating equipment, including the introduction of a sideways-swinging keel 11 years ago.

Despite his wide-ranging proficiency, he is no stranger to adversity on the open seas. Just last month, his yacht dismasted while leading the two-handed Trans-Atlantic race from Le Havre in France to Itajai in Brazil, just 140 miles (260 kilometers) from the finishing line.

Speaking by satellite phone to CNN just hours before that moment on board his vessel MACIF, he explained why he first set out on the solo voyages.

"First, your life is too short to do something you don't want to do," he says. "Second, you will not be efficient because you don't want to do it, and third the most important one is if you don't want to do it then you will make mistakes and then not be efficient.

Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Small boat, big dreams – Sven Yrvind with his half-constructed vessel, Yrvind Ten. The 73-year-old plans to sail the three meter boat around the world.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Setting sail – The swedish boat builder says bigger vessels are more dangerous than smaller ones, adding: "My boat is like a little capsule --it will capsize, it will pitchpole, but it will always come back up."

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Open seas – In a career spanning more than 50 years, Yrvind is showing no signs of slowing down. Last year he sailed 4.5 meter boat "Yrvind.com" (pictured) from Ireland to the Caribbean.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Seafaring childhood – Yrvind (pictured as 13-year-old), quickly learned to sail after growing up on the small Swedish island of Branno in the North Sea.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

High sea hopes – He first lived on a boat as a 23-year-old studying mathematics in Copenhagen, during the 1960s.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Life on the water – Yrvind in the six meter yacht he built in his mother's basement and sailed from Sweden to Newport in 1983. The boat is now on display at the Museum of Yachting in Newport, Rhode Island.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Shooting the breeze – The boat was named Bris, meaning "breeze" in Swedish. "I built her in 1972 and sailed her until 1982, criss-crossing the Atlantic many times," Yrvind said.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Simple design – Yrvind was inducted into the Museum of Yachting's Hall of Fame in 1988, for his many solo expeditions. In 1968 he sailed four meter boat "Anna" (pictured) from Sweden to England.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Moment for reflection – "Out at sea it's a cleaner environment -- mentally and physically. When I come back from this voyage I will be a healthier, younger person," Yrvind said.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

World-renowned – The world-renowned boat builder wrote articles about his adventures for yachting magazine "Cruising World" for more than 20 years, appearing on its cover in December 1975.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Royal reception – Yrvind gave a talk on his expeditions to the Swedish King and Queen around four years ago. Despite stern words from organizers, he refused to wear a suit at the function.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Record breaking attempt – Italian Alessandro Di Benedetto currently holds the record for sailing around the world in the smallest boat, completing the voyage in a 6.5 meter vessel in 2010.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Think big – Sir Robin Knox-Johnston became the first person to single-handedly sail around the world in a 9.8 meter yacht, in 1969.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Despite the odds – The 73-year-old said Yrvind could complete the voyage, adding that many people had thought his own bid to circumnavigate the globe was impossible at the time.

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Photos:The old man and the sea: Plan to sail world in smallest boat

Young and old – Yrvind's one-and-a-half-ton boat is a drop in the ocean compared to the 15-ton yacht sailed around the world by Australian teenager Jessica Watson in 2010

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

Bon Voyage – HMS Illustrious accompanies the fleet of 10 boats out of Southampton at the start of their year-long Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. The 70 foot yachts traveled 64,500km across the globe, visiting 15 ports on six continents.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

A grand adventure – More than 500 amateur sailors took part earlier this year, with the choice of joining for one of eight legs or the full circumnavigation. Recruiting is now on for next year's race, starting in July 2013.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

International race – Crew from vessel De Lage Landen admire the view. Each yacht was named after a sponsor city from across the world.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

Hard Knox – Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop, around the world in 1969, founded the annual clipper race 16 years ago.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

Steep learning curve – The majority of competitors have never sailed a boat in their lives. After a three-week intensive training course they're forced to quickly learn the ropes on the high seas.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

Golden opportunity – A vessel arrives in San Fransisco on leg nine of the 13-leg race. Sailors can join for just one segment or the full year-long circumnavigation.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

Warm welcome – Residents from Qingdao in China lay out the red carpet when their sponsored boat docks during the race. Qingdao finished ninth out of a field of ten yachts.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

Big Apple – The boat Visit Finland arrives in New York. With limited access to phones and internet, crews are essentially cut off from the outside world until they dock at port.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

Drama on the seas – Sailor Nik Brbora was taken to hospital by U.S coast guards after his yacht, Geraldton Western Australia, was struck by a storm in the South Pacific.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

High spirits – Undeterred, crew aboard the Geraldton Western Australia arrive in San Francisco a day after two crew members were rescued.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

Strong bonds – Qingdao crew members, David Hall and Joanna Sandford, embrace after arriving in Western Australia. "You learn a lot about the people on board -- it's human interaction on a really deep level," said sailor Lisa Blair.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

Picture perfect – Along with the challenges are moments of joy, with stunning sunsets, close interactions with wildlife and a sense of wonder at nature.

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Photos:Clipper Round the World yacht race

Hero's welcome – Crowds gather in Southampton to welcome home boats after their 12-month adventure around the world.

The boat, sponsored by Hugo Boss, that Alex Thompson will be sailing on in his attempt to make it solo around the world.

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Photos:Behind the scenes: Thomson sailing solo around the world

"Early Start" co-anchor John Berman getting a tip on life jacket safety from Alex Thomson before taking a test ride.

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Photos:Behind the scenes: Thomson sailing solo around the world

John Berman in the driver's seat while Alex Thomson shares the art of driving a sailboat.

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Photos:Behind the scenes: Thomson sailing solo around the world

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Photos:Behind the scenes: Thomson sailing solo around the world

A look at the navigation equipment on board the sailboat.

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Photos:Behind the scenes: Thomson sailing solo around the world

Alex lets John take over steering of the boat.

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Photos:Behind the scenes: Thomson sailing solo around the world

Alex Thomson shows John Berman how to use an iPad to help navigate the ride on the Hudson River in New York City.

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Photos:Behind the scenes: Thomson sailing solo around the world

Crew member watches as Alex explains the inner workings of a sailboat.

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Photos:Behind the scenes: Thomson sailing solo around the world

On the test boat ride with John and Alex, the crew rides by an iconic vision: The Statue of Liberty.

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Photos:Behind the scenes: Thomson sailing solo around the world

Crew demonstrates moving a sail - something Alex Thomson will have to do on his own when he attempts to travel solo around the world.

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"In safety terms, that's when things go wrong. Before anything else, you have to want to do it, otherwise that's it, no point."

Desjoyeaux says the all-consuming nature of the racing ("24 hours of the day, you're just trying to optimize everything") means it is a completely different way of life, hence his personal struggles to get back into everyday norms on land.

He says the Vendee Globe, a three-month ordeal held every four years, is "the most complete and perfect race you can imagine.

"So when I finished the first time, I was sure I'd come back - it was still something I wanted to do."

It is common to see sharks and dolphins in the water, as well as whales -- although the large mammals are to be avoided at all costs because of the damage they can do to a vessel, which is often battling treacherous seas.

"I don't think there is too much danger as safety on the boat is always No. 1," says Desjoyeaux. "I don't take too many risks. If it's dangerous, I slow down and do it properly. I want to keep my life."

Traveling around the world in a vessel is not just about being a master sailor, a tactician or mentally strong. It is also about being a businessman and raising the funds required to get such an expedition off the ground.

Budgets for the 2008-9 Vendee Globe were around €10 million ($13.8 million) for the very top boats, each of the leading boats costing about €3.5 million ($4.8 million).

Such numbers makes British racer Steve White's achievement at that race all the more impressive. He arrived on the start line not knowing if he even had enough funds to compete.

Under competition rules, all boats taking part having to be in the harbor at Les Sables-d'Olonne three weeks before the start date. Just to get to that point, he had remortgaged his and his wife's house four times in order to buy the boat on which he aimed to compete.

He had two weeks in which to raise £200,000 ($328,000) to fund the trip, a big sum but small fry in global sailing terms.

"I had this green energy company all set to sponsor me to the tune of £100,000, as well as another businessman to another £100,000," he recalls. "The green energy company were on board, they just needed things to be signed off in one final meeting. But then they went quiet and finally I got word that they weren't going ahead.

"So I went back to the guy (the businessman, who to this day has asked to remain nameless) and said I couldn't match his £100,000 so I didn't expect him to fulfill his side of the bargain. So I thought I'd have to face the embarrassment of sailing away before the start in front of everyone.

"He just said, 'I'll get back to you.' I carried on but felt sick and didn't hear back. I was struggling with phone reception but got a snippet about four o'clock one morning from my wife to say, 'We've got the money.'

"When I finally spoke to her, it transpired this guy had stumped up the entire money. In a flash, I'd gone from suicidal to being in tears. He'd essentially sorted me out for the rest of my life by enabling me to do this."

In the end, the trip cost £245,000, which White part-funded by being paid his €20,000 prize money for finishing eighth in advance.

But it was a race against the clock just to get ready, as he and his team worked through the night to get the boat prepared. By the time he set off for his 109 days at sea, he was already shattered.

Almost immediately, terrible weather hit in the Bay of Biscay, breaking up the much more expensive boats of his rivals. In all, just 11 of the 30-strong fleet finished.

"I enjoy being alone at sea, and in a weird sort of way love testing myself and seeing if I pass the test," White says.

"But it's an odd test. As something breaks, you're like 'good grief' and it feels like torture. But then a moment later the weather changes, as quickly as your mood, dolphins are jumping in front of the boat and there's the most amazing sun -- it's just a very serene, meditative experience."

White is not done with solo sailing. His next challenge is another solo nonstop circumnavigation, but this time the wrong way -- against the prevailing winds and currents -- before returning for another shot at the Vendee Globe in 2016.

For White, the appeal of such journeys is hard to explain.

"I remember (fellow sailor) Mike Golding saying, 'You can't really understand it if you've not done it.' I didn't really get that until I did it. Unless you do, you won't either."

The record for a solo nonstop circumnavigation is a formidable 57 days, 13 hours and 34 minutes set by Francis Joyon in 2008 -- the fastest Vendee Globe completion, by comparison, was at the 2012-13 staging when Francois Gabart came home in 78 days, two hours and 16 minutes.

Will he break it? "It's a phenomenal record," says Knox-Johnston, "but Thomas is a very experienced sailor, and is certainly a guy capable of doing it. The target's tough right now but that's the joy of records -- they're there to be broken."

If he does so, what next for Coville and the rest of the world's solo sailors? If you have to ask, it would seem, you clearly don't understand.